Sensing device for enabling interaction between a computer and a form printed on a surface

• US 7,369,261 B2
• Filed: 11/22/2004
• Issued: 05/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Silverbrook, Kia, Lapstun, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Grant, II; Jerome
• Application Number:
  US10/992,713
• Publication Number:
  US 20050073722A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,261 Days
• Field of Search: 382/202, 382/180, 382/181, 358/1.15, 358/1.18, 358/1.16, 358/1.6, 235/454, 235/460, 235/462.01
• US Class Current: 358/1.15
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0337 Status LEDs integrated in the mouse to provide visual feedback to the user about the status of the input device, the PC, or the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0321 by optically sensing the absolute position with respect to a regularly patterned surface forming a passive digitiser, e.g. pen optically detecting position indicative tags printed on a paper sheet constructional details of pen-shaped pointing devices G06F3/03545, G06F3/03542, G06F3/037
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03545 Pens or stylus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04845 for image manipulation, e.g. dragging, rotation, expansion or change of colour
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/171 by use of digital ink
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/174 Form filling; Merging
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00127 Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture

Abstract

A sensing device for enabling interaction between a computer and a form printed on a surface. The form includes one or more first viewable information zones relating to one or more available commands and one or more second viewable information zones relating to one or more objects. The form also includes coded data indicative of an identity of the form and of at least one reference point of the form, the coded data comprising a plurality of substantially undifferentiated marks positioned relative to a set of predetermined nominal mark positions. The sensing device is adapted to sense the coded data of a form when placed in an operative position relative to the form, the sensing device further being adapted to generate indicating data indicative of a stroke of part of the sensing device on or relative to said form and to transmit the indicating data to the computer. The indicating data generated by the sensing device and transmitted to the computer allows the computer to determine if said stroke substantially links one or more of said first viewable information zones with one or more of said second viewable information zones.

Claims

1. A sensing device for enabling interaction between a computer and a form printed on a surface, the form including one or more first viewable information zones relating to one or more available commands and one or more second viewable information zones relating to one or more objects, the form further including coded data indicative of an identity of the form and of at least one reference point of the form, the coded data comprising a plurality of substantially undifferentiated marks positioned relative to a set of predetermined nominal mark positions;

the sensing device being adapted to sense the coded data of a form when placed in an operative position relative to the form, the sensing device further being adapted to generate indicating data indicative of a stroke of part of the sensing device on or relative to said form and to transmit the indicating data to the computer;

wherein the indicating data generated by the sensing device and transmitted to the computer allows the computer to determine if said stroke substantially links one or more of said first viewable information zones with one or more of said second viewable information zones, and

at least one of said second viewable zones having a viewable boundary, wherein the indicating data generated by the sensing device and transmitted to the computer allows the computer to identify if the stroke has crossed said boundary more than once, and to apply a different one or more of said available commands if such an occurrence is identified.

2. The sensing device according to claim 1, wherein each mark represents one of a plurality of coded values, the indicating data generated by the sensing device further indicating one or more of said coded values.

3. The sensing device according to claim 2, wherein the coded value represented by a mark is at least partially determined by the position of the mark relative to the set of predetermined nominal mark positions.

4. The sensing device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined nominal mark positions are arranged relative to a plurality of nominal lines.

5. The sensing device according to claim 4 wherein at least one pair of the lines are spaced apart from one another by a distance of less than 100 millimeters.

6. The sensing device according to claim 1, wherein the marks have centers and wherein the relative spacing of the centers of at least one pair of adjacent marks is less than 12 millimeters.

7. The sensing device according to claim 1, wherein each mark has a minimum radius and a maximum radius and wherein the length of a mark'"'"'s minimum radius is greater than 40% of the length of that mark'"'"'s maximum radius.

8. The sensing device according to claim 1, wherein any 10 millimeter diameter area of the coded data indicative of the identity the form includes sufficient information to identify the form.

9. The sensing device according to claim 1, wherein any 10 millimeter diameter area of the coded data indicative of the at least one reference point of the form includes sumcient information to identify the at least one reference point, such that the indicating data can be generated in response to any stroke greater than 10 mm.

10. The sensing device of claim 1, wherein the indicating data generated by the sensing device and transmitted to the computer allows the computer to identify if the stroke has encircled one or more of said second viewable zones relating to one or more objects, thereby designating said one or more objects.

11. The sensing device of claim 1, wherein the indicating data generated by the sensing device and transmitted to the computer allows the computer to identify if the stroke has intersected one or more of said second viewable zones relating to one or more objects, thereby designating said one or more objects.